As I attempt to orient the windy and often treacherous roads that encapsulate life, here are some of my thoughts on the successes, failures and ultimately the hope and positivity in which I strive for a better world. I also hope that I can use this blog as a platform to elevate the social justice issues that are somewhat forgotten in the modern discourse of staying silent on issues that challenge.

Monthly Archives: March 2014

So I have come to the end of my 14 Day Gratitude Challenge, and on such a fitting day. Today is my last day at work after being here for 2 and a half years. I am taking a leap of faith and moving home to my family, friends and hopefully, an abundance of new opportunities.

Therefore today I will give thanks for the many and varying mistakes that I have made in my past.

I give thanks for the decisions that I have made as I would not be the person I am today, or where I am at this particular moment had I not have committed them. I have stumbled and fallen on many occasions and I have been too harsh on myself as times have gone on. I’ve learnt so many lessons not only about life, but about myself also and I have come to realise that life isn’t about waiting for opportunities and change to fall into your lap; it’s about being brave enough to take action in order for them to come into fruition.

I have been guilty in the past of blaming my mistakes on others and questioning the Universe as to why it was being so hard on me. I held this forthright claim to happiness which was placed outside of myself and expected success without actually doing anything to make it happen. Because of my mistakes and past failures I now realise that the most important thing in this world is to work on myself, to each and every day attempt to be the best version of myself that I can be and to commit to bettering myself always.

I have learnt so much and for this I am supremely grateful for my mistakes. I know that life is indeed up to me and instead of focusing on the negatives and consistently looking back, I should instead be grateful for the things I do have and cherish and love all the wonderful people who surround me.

This one is a tough one to journal, however I thought I would mentally meditate on a different angle; 2 goals I have achieved in the recent past.

Today I choose to reflect on:

Completing my Masters

Late last year I finished my Masters. This was such an achievement because I was working full time whilst also studying. It was genuinely one of the most difficult tasks I have ever embarked upon. There were certain times during this period when I felt that I could not continue and all I wanted to do was give up. I sacrificed a great many things in the pursuit, namely any semblance of a personal life. My evenings and weekends were either spent studying with my head buried deep into books or else worrying and feeling guilty because I was not doing these things and should have been! During my last semester I chose to increase my load and study full time whilst also working full time. It was intense and crazy to say the least. I would often find that my brain would switch off completely because it had been exerted so much first at work and then after a 9-10 hour day, at home studying too.

But in the end, it was all worth it. I now look back with admiration and pride at the strength I exerted during these difficult times. I practiced a level of discipline and self belief that I did not realise I had in me prior to those moments. I am so proud of this achievement and am very thankful for the experience itself, for it taught me a great deal about what I was capable of.

The decision to pack up and move back to Melbourne

This was a difficult one for me but I genuinely believe it to be an achievement. Turning your back on a stable and steady job to leap into the unknown is such a difficult thing to do. Society teaches us that stability and conformity are the most important principles to which to live ones life. However, I have never adhered to these rules and prefer to let my heart guide me. I am making an investment into my future by being where my heart is, after all life is too short to be somewhere that you don’t want to be. I am very grateful for my ability to always do what feels right no matter the obstacles in my path and I am so very proud of this innate quality.

I really have to work at this aspect of my life. Even though I have been blessed with good health I have fallen into some terrible habits that I really need to kick. I really need to stop eating junk, exercise more and also meditate more often. I give in to my anxiety and stress a lot of the time and tend to take the easy but highly unhealthy route of binging on whatever is closest. I vow to end this habit and take the more difficult but rewarding path of investing in my future health.

The love I have in my life

I am well and truly going to take more active steps in cherishing my loved ones. I don’t tell them enough how much they mean to me or how they positively impact my life each and every day. I promise to let them know how grateful I am for their places in my life and express my love and gratitude for their influence and practice of unconditional love that they have always applied to my existence. I will never again take you all for granted.

My level of comfort in life

I pride myself on not being a materialistic person, however after discovering how many paris of shoes I had in a recent clear out due to my move back home I am slightly reconsidering that sentiment. I have to remember that material possessions are just that, material. They do not add any value or levels of happiness to my life, they are simply things, and most importantly, things that I can do without. From this day forward, I will attempt to cut back on this area of my life and instead focus on obtaining the things that matter; love, ambition and gratitude.